COVID-19 vaccine uptake rates, perceptions, and attitudes among dialysis patients: Experience across a national sample.

Introduction: Dialysis patients are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection making vaccination a priority. We explored COVID-19 vaccine uptake and perceptions in our dialysis population, associated COVID-19 infection, and hospitalization rates.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study using telephone questionnaires and hospital records to investigate COVID-19 vaccine uptake and attitudes behind vaccination status.

Treatment of renal AA-Amyloidosis associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection: a case report.

We present a case of a young adult male who was treated successfully for renal AA-amyloidosis secondary to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection using highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). He presented with lobar pneumonia, acute kidney injury, nephrotic syndrome and newly diagnosed HIV infection and was initiated on HARRT and haemodialysis. Kidney biopsy was consistent with amyloid deposition of the AA-type.

Positive Luminex and negative flow cytometry in kidney transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The presence of pre-formed donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) in kidney transplantation is associated with worse overall outcomes compared with DSA-negative transplantation. A positive complement-dependant cytotoxic crossmatch presents a high immunological risk, while a negative flow cytometry crossmatch is at the lower end of the risk spectrum. Yet, the presence of low-level DSA detected by Luminex alone, that is, positive Luminex and negative flow (PLNF) cytometry crossmatch lacks robust scientific exploration.

The incidence, predictors, and prognosis of acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve implantation .

Introduction And Aims: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative procedure for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis unfit for open heart surgery. Notwithstanding the safer profile, TAVI can still result in serious complications including acute kidney injury (AKI).

Materials And Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study to investigate the incidence of AKI following TAVI, identify any predictors, and assess the impact on patient survival.

Early urological complications after kidney transplantation: An overview.

Urological complications, especially urine leaks, remain the most common type of surgical complication in the early post-transplant period. Despite major advances in the field of transplantation, a small minority of kidney transplants are still being lost due to urological problems. Many of these complications can be traced back to the time of retrieval and implantation.

De novo papillary carcinoma in a renal allograft: the pros and cons of immunosuppression.

We present a case of a multifocal kidney transplant renal cell carcinoma in a 35-year-old lady, presenting 16 years after kidney transplantation, diagnosed during investigation of recurrent urinary tract infections. The patient underwent a graft nephrectomy and subsequently maintained on haemodialysis. She remained disease-free after 4 years of surveillance and thus reactivated on the transplant list.

Basic concepts in kidney transplant immunology.

Advances in the field of immunohistocompatibility and immunogenetics have been crucial for improvements in kidney transplant outcomes. This review provides a practical outline of these important breakthroughs for the general physician, at a time when demand for kidney transplants is increasing.

Outcome of Kidney Transplant in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis.

Objectives: Kidney transplant outcomes in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis are comparable with outcomes in patients transplanted for other causes. Here, we report our single center experience of kidney transplant in patients with this condition and a pooled analysis of published studies.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with end-stage kidney disease secondary to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis who received a kidney transplant between 1987 and 2013 in the East of Scotland.

Seasonal Variation in the Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Infections: A Single Center Experience in the Mediterranean.

Seasonal variation in the incidence of peritoneal dialysis-related infections (PDRI) has been sparingly investigated, especially in the Mediterranean. Our aim was to explore this association in Malta. All PDRI occurring between Jan-2008 and Dec-2012 were retrospectively studied.

Nephrolithiasis, stone composition, meteorology, and seasons in Malta: Is there any connection?

Context: The effect of seasons and meteorology on the incidence of nephrolithiasis has been studied in various regions around the globe, but seldom in the Mediterranean.

Aims: This retrospective analysis aims at investigating these putative effects in the Maltese Islands, whose climate is typically Mediterranean, followed by a systematic review of the literature.

Materials And Methods: Submission rate and chemical composition of all kidney stones after spontaneous passage or surgical removal between January 2009 and December 2011 were analyzed according to seasons and corresponding meteorology.

Induction Immunosuppression in High-risk Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Kidney transplant remains the best type of renal replacement therapy in most patients with end-stage kidney disease, even in those with high immunologic risk. Immunosuppression in these patients is regarded as more complex, owing to the higher risk of both acute and chronic rejection. The advent of induction immunosuppression has resulted in a lower incidence of acute rejection and consequently improved short-term patient and allograft outcomes.

Chronic kidney disease referral practices among non-nephrology specialists: A single-centre experience.

Background: Early referral of CKD patients to nephrology teams (NT) is vital to identify patients most likely to progress, delay decline of excretory function, and provide planned RRT. Unfortunately, many are still being referred late.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis to investigate referral rates, predictors of non-referral, and performed urine investigations in hospitalised CKD patients.

Pacemaker lead-associated thrombosis in cardiac resynchronisation therapy.

Pacemaker lead-associated thrombosis is a possible complication of any cardiac implantable electronic device. We present a case of a middle-aged woman with a history of ischaemic left ventricular failure, who presented with fever and other non-specific symptoms 4 months after cardiac resynchronisation therapy. A transoesophageal echocardiogram confirmed a vegetation-like structure originating from the pacemaker lead in the right atrium.

Predictors of seasonal influenza vaccination in chronic asthma.

Background: Guidelines advise annual influenza vaccination in chronic asthma. The aim of this study was to determine uptake of the influenza vaccine in a group of patients (n = 146) with moderate to severe chronic asthma and establish the main predictors of vaccination.

Method: Patients attending a hospital asthma clinic were asked to complete a questionnaire in February 2012 (n = 146).